1973: Tom Weiskopf wins The Open Championship wire-to -wire at Troon

Weiskopf captures his sole major at Troon

On this day, In 1973 Tom Weiskopf was hoisting the Claret Jug in front of thousands at Royal Troon. The Columbus, Ohio native won his first major championship by three strokes over opponents Johnny Miller and Neil Coles. Weiskopf capped a wire-to-wire victory and his 72 hole total of 12-under-par 276 matched the then-existing Open Championship record set by Arnold Palmer on the very same course in 1962.

“I will never consider myself a great player until I win a major championship…”

–Tom Weiskopf

Many in the field made attempts to over take Weiskopf… Nicklaus who birdied four out of his first seven holes on the final day could on reach fourth place. Johnny Miller, who made history four weeks earlier by shooting a final round of 63 to win the U.S. Open at Oakmont, also made a charge. It just wasn’t enough.

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A Wire from Howard Hughes

Howard Hughes, the billionaire recluse who once was a prominent sportsman, finally was heard from around this time. Hughess emergence was in the form of a congratulatory telegram sent to 71‐year‐old Gene Sarazen, who scored an ace in the opening round of the British Open in Scotland on Wednesday.

“Congratulations, you have not changed a bit,” read the wire. “You are still as good as ever. Your accomplishment refreshed many pleasant memories.”

“It took a hole‐in‐one for me to finally hear from my old golfing buddy,” commented Sarazen. “We used to play together from time to time, but it’s been 40 years since I’ve seen or played with him.”

Trivia

This was the last Open Championship as Troon Golf Club; it became Royal Troon Golf Club five years later in 1978